Welcome to My Bookish Life! Please, Come in, put your feet up and make yourself comfortable! Don't forget to check out the great Giveaway/Contests going on and Stay Tuned for some awesome events coming up!

Today feel like a dream come true day for me. Ever since I started my UF and PNR addiction, there are some author that have just become the pinnacle of these genres for me and are an absolute immediate buy for me.

Jeaniene Frost is one of them. Her Night Huntress Series is ranked on my top favorites and it’s so brilliant I keep reaching for word to express my love for it.

Who doesn’t LOVE Bones? I mean, I find hilarious that whenever someone starts this series after a million people recommended it, the reaction process is always the same. That person starts by hating Bones, thinking he is an absolute A**hole, and he is. After a while, they get to understand him better and I GUARANTEE that at least by the middle of Book 2 in the series (probably even before) you will LOVE him to death!

That is the power of Jeaniene Frost and I have the pleasure of having her here today at Larissa’s Life **squeeeeeee* excuse me for the fan girl moment hehe =)

Aaaaaaand she is giving away a SIGNED copy of First Drop of Crimson… How freaking amazing is that??? (Giveaway deets at the end of this post =])

I’ve written poetry and short stories since I was twelve, but I didn’t start to write a novel until I was almost thirty. I’d always wanted to write a book, but I kept putting off doing it, and when I was almost at that milestone birthday I had a “now or never” moment.

2. Have you always been interested in Romance?

I’ve been a fan of romance novels since twelve (yes, I started reading them young J). The first romance I ever read was SKYE O’MALLEY by Bertrice Small and it addicted me to the genre. I used to measure my allowance by how many books it could buy.

3. What about in the Paranormal?

I’ve been a fan of horror movies since before I began reading romance novels, so you can guess that I was very young when I got hooked on those. As a kid, my parents used to take my and my sisters to the Chiller feature at the drive in (“That’s all you girls wanted to see!” is my mother’s defense for the “What were you thinking??” question I’ve since asked her, lol). Anyway, it was horror movies that got me hooked on the paranormal, because most of them had supernatural elements in them (Michael Meyers couldn’t die, Freddy Krueger attacked through dreams, etc etc).

4. Why writing Paranormal Romance?

Given my love of romance novels and horror movies, it’s no surprise that I gravitated toward paranormal romance when writing. It has all my favorite elements; a strong love story, supernatural intrigue, danger, action, and excitement.

5. Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

Dean Koontz, Diana Gabaldon, Laurell K Hamilton, and Charlaine Harris were authors that really inspired me when I was first trying to get published. Not that I’d ever spoken to any of them at the time – I just took inspiration from their success. Books that were inspiring – too many to list. If I love a novel, it inspires me, and I love a lot of books. Movies, hmm. Probably Dracula and any vampire-themed movie. I’ve loved vampires from as far back as I can remember.

6. What is your favorite subject in the Paranormal Romance Realm?

I think I answered that one with the previous question – vampires are my number one love. After that would probably be shapeshifters, faeries, and magic.

7. The sex scenes in your books are amazingly hot. Specially Chapter 32 in the 2nd Cat & Bones book, which has become a staple to all UF and PNR fans. Where do you get your inspiration?

Not from where most people think *wink* It makes me giggle when I get letters from readers asking if I “try out” all the aspects of sex scenes with my husband before writing them. Um, it doesn’t work that way. Just like I don’t go out stalking people before writing about Cat hunting vampires, or I don’t drink blood before writing a scene where Bones bites someone, I’m not a “method writer” when it comes to sex scenes – much to my husband’s dismay, lol.

As for inspiration when writing them, they’re a reflection of my character’s emotions, so what they’re feeling is what I draw on for inspiration. Sex is a part of most people’s lives and it’s a part of my characters lives, too, thus I don’t skimp on showing those parts in my books. Sometimes the scenes are fade-to-black, and sometimes, like Chapter 32, they’re very detailed and involved. But it’s really all about the characters. I’m just the vehicle to deliver those parts of their lives to readers.

8. Do you find it hard to write them?

I take them very seriously, just like I do fight scenes or dramatic emotional scenes. They’re challenging to write because I gravitate toward certain phrases and I have to go back and check through several books to make sure I’m not saying the same thing twice. Also, like with fight scenes, I’m balancing emotions along with physical reactions along with choreographed movements (no, that’s not a joke, heh). But if I’m describing an action by character A, I need to have character B’s reaction physically, mentally, and emotionally. Sex scenes have layers that dialog and internal monologue doesn’t, so they can be trickier to write.

Favorites:

9. Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?

Might have to say Underworld, Rise of the Lycans, but I change my mind a lot.

Same answer as above, and the authors on that list are broken down by genre :).

14. Favorite one of your Books?

Whatever one I’m writing at the moment. I did tell you I was fickle, right??

15. Favorite of your own characters? Why?

I love different characters for different reasons. Of course I’m most attached to my heroines and heroes, but out of those, I don’t see one being more special than the others, so I don’t have a favorite. I think I know my readers favorite, though - Bones, if emails are any indication *grin*

16. Which book was the hardest to write? Why?

Probably Destined for an Early Grave. So much happened to Cat and she kept trying to do what was best while having those good intentions backfire every time. I felt really bad for her in that book, plus, the pivotal fight between her and Bones was very emotional to write.

17. What would you be if not a writer? Why?

I can’t imagine not writing now. Really. I might not always be published (writers don’t always have control over that), but I’ll always write. Just like I’ll always read. I love both those things too much to give them up.

Quickies:

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee. It’s like crack to me.

Up or Down?

Up. Like to be on my feet.

Virtual or Real?

Real. If it’s not real, I don’t want to waste my time on it.

Right or Left?

Right.

Vampires or Ghouls?

Vampires. Love my ghouls, but my fang peeps come first.

Angels or Demons?

Angels. Demons scare me.

Reading or Writing?

When I’m stressed from a deadline, I’d say reading. When I’m in a good groove, though, there’s nothing better than writing.

18. What is your favorite part of the writing process?

When my characters surprise me with something I didn’t know about them. This happens more than people might realize. Half my subplots are organic, and I’ve even had characters pop up in a book that I never intended to write about (cough, Vlad, cough).

19. What is your least favorite part?

Beginnings. I hate them and I know I’ll end up rewriting them nine times out of ten, so they frustrate me to no end.

20. The Night Huntress Series in your own words?

It’s so hard for me to summarize four books in a couple short sentences! So much changes with Cat and Bones from the first book to what readers have read last (and I can’t say anything about future books or it would spoiler). But, here goes:

A half-vampire with an attitude teams up for, and then falls in love with, a Master vampire who shows her that there’s more to the undead world than she realizes.

21. Any plans for more Night Huntress and Night Huntress World Books?

There are at least three more Cat and Bones books in the Night Huntress series. As for Night Huntress World books, I hope there will be more! I’d really like to do a few books on Vlad, plus there are other characters I’d like to do stand-alone novels on. Contract renewal is in a few months. Wish me luck!

22. What are you working on right now?

Cat and Bones book five.

23. Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

Don’t procrastinate, just write. Give yourself permission to suck, because we all suck at first. Be ruthless about realizing that a finished novel is just a first draft that needs revising – usually a lot - before you shop it. Getting critical feedback is very helpful, and friends and family aren’t really going to provide that. Find another writer who’s not afraid to hurt your feelings (in a positive, constructive way, not a flamingly insulting one). Keep reminding yourself that it’s more important to make the story better than to tell it in the way you initially wrote it. Words and stories change in revision all the time, but the end result is what matters.

In short, writing is a process, not a one-shot deal. It’s a hard process, too, filled with lots of rejection and waiting, so if you’re looking for instant gratification, look elsewhere! Still, if you have stories in your head that you just have to tell and you love them enough to do the necessary work, then go for it. When you love it, it’s all worth it.

24. Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

Thanks so much for your support! It’s been awesome getting the opportunity to share my characters and world with you. There’s nothing cooler than readers telling me that they feel connected to my characters, or that parts in my books made them laugh or even cry. Books make me feel that way, too, so it’s the world’s nicest compliment when readers tell me that something I wrote drew an emotional reaction from them. I hope to keep sharing stories with you!

Thank you SOOOO much for being here Jeaniene! It has been an honor! =)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OVER!

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

RESULTS WILL BE UP ON MARCH 22ND!

Now for the Giveaway!

Win a SIGNED copy of First Drop of crimson!

To Enter:

- Comment on This post about anything talked about on interview.

- Leave a way to contact you (if you don't feel comfortable leaving your email, you can send it to me at larissa@larissaslife.com)

90 Responses so far.

Thank you for the interview! I haven't read any of Ms. Frost's books, but they are at the top of my wish list. I love reading about how she got into writing. Also, I found her remarks on her famous sex scene hilarious!

Wow, I'm the first. My coworker Natasha got me hooked on Jeaniene's books last year. I'm really looking forward to reading her latest -- hoping I win it, but if not, I am still going to buy it. In the interview she mentions her first romance book being Skye O'Malley -- I loved that book -- now I own pretty much every book Bertrice has written. contestmom AT hotmail DOT com+5 for Google Friend Connect+3 @larissa_sarah Twitter Follower (mountie9)+3 @Jeaniene_Frost Twitter Follower (mountie9)+2 Larissa’s Life Fan on FB! (Jennifer Porter Rayment)+2 http://twitter.com/mountie9/status/10351689974

+1 adding up entries = 16Thanks for the opportunity to win the book : )

I loved the interview. Especially the part about readers asking if she tries out all the sex scenes on her husband. I haven't read any of her stuff yet, but I've had Halfway to the Grave on the TBR list for a while. I also love that she has a whole list of her favorite authors on her website.

Thanks for the interview and contest! I'm probably the only fantasy-lover who hasn't read Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series! I have added the series to my TBR list, and I've heard a LOT of positive things about this author. I know I'll love the series, because everything about this series screams "Read me, read me!" Plus, vampires are hot.

Her answer to the sex scene made me laugh!

I am a Google follower. I follow you and Jeanine Frost on Twitter (name: Door2Wonderland).

I am a fan on Facebook (name: Kelsey Oertwich).

I retweeted your tweet about the contest on Twitter. I'm not sure how to leave a link, when it's a retweet. Here's my profile page so you can check out my retweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland.

I appreciate she takes the time to look back at her work and make sure she doesn't repeat herself too much. That gets so annoying! I've noticed that each scene, whether its fighting or sex, doesn't feel like the previous one.yeseniah23 @ gmail.com

OMG! Thanks for the interview! I love all of Jeaniene Frost's interviews! I hope she can write more and more Night Huntress books. I absolutely love them, and crave them! I'm currently reading First Drop of Crimson, and I am loving it! Nothing will be better than her series, for me, hands down. Her answers to those questions are awesome, and hilarious!

Haha I can relate with the author, on watching paranormal at a young age. I remember watching Buffy when I was five!! I also remember watching Inuyasha *which is sort of paranormal, if you count that the main character is half demon* and there was so much gore *especially in the third movie*. My babysitter was horrified.

I totally agree with Ms. Frost. Her answers to the Quickies were absolutely similar to what I would,if I was the one answering! I love the questions you put forward Lala-intensifies the interesting part! Thanks! :)

Great interview Larissa.. I esp. liked the description of choreographing the physical scenes, both movement and emotion. I've heard alot about this series. Finally have gotten Halfway to the Grave which is at the top of my TBR box. Would like to try the new book as well.Thanks for the interview and contest. ioki_jo[at]hotmail[dot]com 1 comment+5 google connect+3 Larissa twitter follower+3 Jeaniene twitter follower+2 RT http://twitter.com/iokijo/status/10350541800+1 sum = 15

+1: I have to confess blushingly that I haven't read anything by Jeaniene yet, but have heard only stellar things about her books, and this interview definitely strengthened my resolve to read her books. It's interesting to see that she was influenced by Diana Gabaldon (I love her books!) as I wouldn't consider her a paranormal author in the strict sense. I can totally understand how she hates beginning, it is always the hardest to start anything..ugh..

Thanks for the interview!

stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com

+5 I'm a Google follower+3 I follow Larissa's Life on Twitter+3 I follow Jeaniene on Twitter+2 I tweeted about this giveaway here: http://twitter.com/Stella_ExLibris/status/10366513783+1: my total is 15

Thanks for the interview! I love Jeaniene Frost books...and, of course, I love Bones (who doesn't??) I've recommended Jeaniene's books to several of my co-workers, and they LOVE the series. I really enjoyed "First Drop of Crimson". (I'm hoping that Ian gets his own story. It'd be interesting to see who traps HIS heart, though I'd love to see another Cat and Bones story!)

Thank you so much for the interview Jeaniene. You as well as a lot of other authors began writing at a young age and it makes me feel good since I have been writing since I was in grammer school. I am trying to get my life in some kind of order so I can go to the stories I have written to see if I can make them publishable.Larissa the review was terrific. Thanks.

Jeaniene, are you sure we're not joint at the brain or something? Or that we didn't have the same parents? I started writing around the age of 12, and I grew up watching old school horror movies with my parents too! That's seriously way too funny. I felt like I was reading about myself initially LOL

Thank you for the wonderful advice, it really inspired me. I think one of the reasons that I procrastinate when it comes to writing my book is because I'm a perfectionist and if it's not good the first time around then I'm not happy. Which is totally the wrong mindset to have. I just can't help it!

Thanks for the wonderful interview! What really got me going was the mention of the book Skye O'Malley... When I was in seventh grade I "borrowed" this book from my mom's romance stack, and managed to circulate it among a few close friends... In other words, we passed it around until it fell completely apart! So, this was also my first romance read, and it makes me smile just hearing it mentioned.

Jeaniene, you are the only other person I know of who enjoyed American Gothic. That show was seriously underrated. Even if it had crappy 90s sfx, Gary Cole put in a fantastic performance as Sheriff Buck. That scene where he's rolling up his sleeves as he tells Gail Emory, "I'll give you anything you want, you just have to say please" was pretty damn hot!

Great interview! i still blush when i think of the "dirty talk" lessons between Cat and Bones in book one i have the next 2 on my tbr pile :)please enter me +10 i follow both your blogs+6 I follow you and jeanine+1 total17 entries your blog update is beautiful

I love Jeaniene Frost's books. I have read the Cat & Bones books twice. I have also read First Drop of Crimson. I was not a huge fan of Spade's, but after reading this, I do like him. The same is true for Ian, he was great comic relief in this book. I am hoping to see books on Vlad and Ian. I cannot wait to read more.

I Always Love Hearing Advice About Writing. My Problem Is I Have A Lot Of Unfinished Stories. I Get So Far And Hit A Wall. But Your Advice Is Exactly What I Need To Hear. Thanks For All The Great Advice You Have Given.

Ok...... after the answer to question 16 I'm a bit aftraid to start on this series. I really hate it when lead characters in series get into fights and (possibly) break up. I'll be hoping that the fight mentioned is not too serious if I do start on book one and love it.

As for entering:+5 Networked Blogs Follower (I think or am I a google follower, I can't tell which is which)+1 Sum up your entries!

Hi!I have seen her books, but never really read one. I love how authors give you advices!! Also getting to know them makes you feel more in tounch with the novels they write. Is good to see Jeaniene is an open person and a really nice one according to her responses. Great interview, very dinamic! XD

Great interview and thank you for making the contest international! I am a HUGE fan of Jeaniene's books which were introduced to me by word of mouth. Bones *drool*... anyway I liked the fact that Jeaniene started writing PROPERLY at around 30 and she had a "now or never" moment because I'm identifying with that feeling at the moment! Please enter me to win!

+5 I am a Google friend connect Follower+5 I am a Networked Blogs Follower+3 I am @Jeaniene_Frost Twitter Follower+2 I have retweeted this (www.twitter.com/lynseynewton)+1 to sum up entries

Great interview! I really liked her comment to aspiring writers, "Give yourself permission to suck, because we all suck at first." I am reading Halfway to the Grave and am loving it! Jeaniene is a wonderful writer.

This was a great interview especially the quick answer questions. I love the night huntress series and own them all. Haven't had a chance to get the new drop of crimsom but if I don't win it it's on the to by list. I do follow Ms.frost And I have started to follow you. Thank you both for the contest.